The Daily Recruiter

In recent years the internet has dramatically changed the dating industry. Whereas match-making services once had candidates pick-a-date from a photo album, companies now have clients complete a lengthy questionnaire to determine actual—rather than perceived—compatibility. A client is then paired with someone of similiar test results. As different as successful online dating and job-seeking may seem, they have one noteworthy commonality: value matching is central to both processes.

Social psychologist Milton Rokeach (1973) defines values as core human beliefs. For example, you may value creativity more than money or prioritize job security over personal recognition. In short, your value system makes you unique. Interestingly, companies also possess distinct value systems. Not surprisingly, when an employee’s values match a company’s values, the employee tends to be productive and happy. Conversely, when an employee’s values do not match a company’s values, the opposite is true (Morley & Shockley-Zalabak, 1991) .

This information is valuable if you put it to use when seeking employment. Here is how to do so: First, know yourself. Determine your values. Better yet, rank them. Prioritizing your values is useful since it influences how you respond to an interviewer (or your recruiter). Second, know your potential employer. Ask the interviewer questions that clarify what a target company considers important. These questions show a sincere interest in the company and help you gain crucial information for making the best decision regarding employment. Third, determine if your values and the company’s values are similar. If they are, you’ve got a match; you need only say yes to the impending job offer.